nucleophile — [no͞o′klē ə fīl΄, nyo͞o′klē ə fīl΄] n. [ NUCLEO + PHILE] an atom or molecule that has an affinity for atomic nuclei or that donates electrons to form a covalent bond nucleophilic [no͞o′klē əfil′ik, nyo͞o′klē əfil′ik] adj … English World dictionary

Nucleophile — A nucleophile is a species that donates an electron pair to an electrophile to form a chemical bond in a reaction. All molecules or ions with a free pair of electrons can act as nucleophiles. Because nucleophiles donate electrons, they are by… … Wikipedia

nucleophile — noun a compound or functional group that is attractive to centres of positive charge, and donates electrons, especially donating an electron pair to an electrophile to form a bond See Also: nucleophilic … Wiktionary